TWISTED Minds’ young guns charged through the season with no fear against seasoned veterans, delivering unexpected plot twists, but Aurora Gaming came prepared to play mind games.
Coach Aniel “Master the Basics” Jiandani knew to expect the unexpected after Aurora Gaming fell against the former Nine Lives players, now rookies of Twisted Minds, during the Men’s SIBOL National Team Selection for the 2025 SEA Games.
“Nagiisip kami ng mga plano nila kasi expected naman namin na marami silang gagawing kakaiba, or baon para sa amin,” Master the Basics said.
Familiarity key for Aurora
Cedrix “Demonkite” Caranto also noted that Aurora had the advantage of familiarity with Twisted Minds’ playbook because of that said encounter at the SEA Games.
“Nakalaban namin sila sa SEA Games qualifiers; medyo obvious na yung rotation nila or yung mga pick nila kasi na-review naman namin sila before. Konti lang difference nung pumasok sila sa Twisted Minds,” he explained.
Reading the system is one thing, but executing the plan rests heavily on the players—and they delivered the results they were aiming for.
“Na-execute ng players yung pina-practice namin. Nagawa namin yung hinanda para sa Twisted Minds kaya nagkaroon kami ng advantage,” Master the Basics added.
It was sweet revenge for Aurora Gaming, but what went wrong on the side of Twisted Minds?
From Mico “Nosia” Guevarra’s perspective, the team that knows how to capitalize on errors and takes control of the early game is most likely to win.
“Nagkakamali lang din talaga kami sa mga easy kill. Ok na naman na yung draft, sa first tutle talaga nagkakatalo. Kumbaga, kapag na early-han kami, mahirap na bumawi. Di naman nila pababayaan na magkamali sila (Aurora),” he pointed out.
Twisted Minds are known for their aggressive playstyle, but Aurora Gaming’s discipline kept them from making costly mistakes in Games 1 and 3.
Meanwhile, ONIC Philippines head coach Tony “YnoT” Senedrin described Aurora Gaming as the most dominant team in the early game.
“Aurora yung may pinaka magandang early game ngayon, and most ng Filipino teams malakas mag ride ng momentum kapag nakuha nila yung early game,” Coach YnoT said in during the broadcast interview with Hans and Odin.
Now with back-to-back losses, Twisted Minds are determined to bounce back as they prepare to face M6 champions ONIC Philippines on Saturday—a clash that will test not only their resilience but also their identity moving forward in MPL PH Season 16.
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